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Veterans Rex Thompson and Loyd Lewis were among a group of local Marines to gather last week in remembrance of the Battle of Iwo Jima, a 36-day battle with the Japanese during the final leg of World War II in 1945.

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As a sports medicine physician at Logan Regional Hospital, Trek Lyons has seen his share of sports-related injuries, but now he’s fielding questions related to CrossFit injuries and seeing patients as the workout routine becomes more popular.

Twenty years ago, who would have thought that Apple Computers, maker of an upstart computer going head-to-head with computing giants IBM, Compaq, Dell, and HP, along with software powerhouse Microsoft, would be today’s most valuable company ($700 billion)? So when the CEO of Apple speaks, people listen.

Utah State was picked to finish fifth by both the media and coaches
in the 2011 Western Athletic Conference preseason polls, which were
announced Thursday morning during the WAC Football Preview held at
The Orleans Arena.

The Aggies don’t mind the middle-of-the-pack ranking.

“In the end, it is not as important where you are picked in the
preseason polls, but where you finish on the field and in the final
standings,” USU head coach Gary Andersen said.

Added linebacker Bobby Wagner: “I could care less. They can vote us
eighth, I really don’t care, because it’s not going to change how
we come out and play every single game. It doesn’t matter.”

This is the second straight season the Aggies have been picked in
the top five of the league. The coaches tabbed them fourth last
year.

“The coaches and media are all entitled to their own opinion,” USU
running back Robert Turbin said. “You guys have done your research
and your studies, and you feel like we’re going to be fifth in the
WAC and that’s fine.

“Even if we were ranked No. 1 overall in the preseason, it really
would not make a difference. It wouldn’t matter. We all have to go
out and perform (on game day). We have to go out and compete and as
a team, we’re just excited about the opportunity to compete against
the other teams in the WAC and compete for the championship.”

Hawaii was selected first in both polls. The Warriors garnered 292
points and 18 first-place votes from the media, while Fresno State
(284, 11 votes) and Nevada (264, 11 votes) rounded out the top
three.

“It’s nice getting picked first in the preseason to win it,”
Warriors linebacker Corey Paredes said. “Boise has always been on
top. ... It’s nice, but I would like to play (the Broncos) in my
senior year. I would like to have another chance at beating them.
I’ve never beat them, and I hate going through my career and not
beating a team.

“Now, we’ve got a target on our backs and something to live up to.
We’ve got to work hard and see if we can handle the
pressure.”

Louisiana Tech was picked fourth by the media, followed by USU,
Idaho, San Jose State and New Mexico State.

Each team was ranked the exact same was in the coaches’ poll.

“The WAC is traditionally one of the quality conferences in the
country and this year is no exception,” Andersen said. “There are
not any surprises with the polls. The top three teams have proven
themselves with the consistency that they have had with their
records and going to bowl games the last few years.

“I believe it is going to be a very competitive conference
throughout, and we are looking forward to the season.”

With Boise State now gone, the WAC seems to be a wide open
race.

“Any team can beat anybody, especially in this league,” Wolf Pack
quarterback Tyler Lantrip said. “... Every team can show up on
Saturday and beat every other team, so you’ve got to prepare the
same way regardless of what team you’re playing.”

Hawaii finished the 2010 campaign with a 10-4 overall record. The
Warriors tied for the WAC regular season title with a 7-1 mark and
played in the Hawaii Bowl — their seventh bowl appearance over the
past nine years.

Hawaii returns quarterback Bryant Moniz, who led the nation in
passing, total offense and touchdowns thrown last season.

Fresno State was 8-5 in 2010 and made its 11th bowl appearance in
the past 12 years. The Bulldogs return junior running back Robbie
Rouse, who rushed for 1,129 yards last season.

Nevada went 13-1 overall and 7-1 in the WAC last season. The Wolf
Pack beat Boston College in the Fight Hunger Bowl, their fifth
consecutive bowl appearance.

The Aggies received one first-place vote in the media poll,
finishing with 166 points. In the coaches’ poll, USU garnered 22
points.

Utah State returns 46 letterwinners (29 offense, 16 defense, one
special teams), including 17 starters, from last year’s team that
went 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the WAC.

The Aggies officially open fall camp Aug. 8.

“We are now focusing our attention to the start of fall camp and
getting our minds and bodies right to have a great fall camp, which
will lead to a great season,” Andersen said.

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Many Herald Journal readers know Keith Thompson as a regular author of letters to the editor. But the Providence resident now finds his way on this page for a thing he saw instead of how he sees things.